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Pax42

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Posts posted by Pax42

  1. Senores Delorme, por favor.

     

    Seeing as the PN-60 and, supposedly, Topo9 plus CR will be in users hands within 3-4 days - How about some straight answers?

     

    If I go out and spend $10 on CR, which I never paln on using, I can load 2.8 on my PN-40.

    Will my Topo 8 still function with my PN-40, as before, for everything minus GPX transfer?

    Chip Noble answered this question today on the Delorme forums:

     

    Topo 8 with Firmware 2.8

  2. I just wanted to bump this thread a bit and say THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU for all the valuable information I found on this thread. My family (wife and 2 kids) and I are new to Geocaching, but I've been interested in it as a family activity for quite some time. My wife finally mustered up the courage (and cash) to offer to get me a GPS device for Fathers Day this year. Through my research, I had narrowed my choices down to 2 models, the DeLorme PN-40 and the Garmin Colorado 400t. This thread, and a few others, pretty much sold me on the PN-40.

     

    So, I just received my package from Amazon this last Tuesday (6/22). I got the PN-40, the rechargeable kit and a carrying case from Amazon for about $250 (which I thought was a steal for the unit that I received). Upon opening the box, I was pleasantly surprised with the size, shape and durability of the PN-40, I even love the color (orange is my fav, and will be hard to lose in the woods). I proceeded to upload the maps of my region (Minnesota, Iowa and Wisconsin), upgrade my GC.com membership to Premium, download Cache Register and create a few PQ's. I now have 400+ caches waiting on my PN-40. Unfortunately, I have yet to get a chance to get out into the wilds and do some geocaching, though the wife and I will be leaving for a long concert weekend over the 4th (Dave Matthews Band @ Alpine Valley (East Troy, WI)). We plan on camping at the Richard M. Bong State Recreation Area and I've already loaded up a bunch of caches from that area as well, as I'm sure we'll have plenty of downtime.

     

    Another note, I've personally found the PN-40 to be exceptionally easy to use (though I've not been out to find a cache with it yet). I was easily able to navigate menus, find functions and understand the interface even though it was the FIRST and ONLY GPSr unit I've ever used (only other GPS unit I've even held was that of a TomTom navigational GPS). I took it out for a walk and was able to Route and Track with it, as well as create waypoints. All-and-all, I couldn't be more satisfied with the purchase, and I haven't even used it for its intended function yet, geocaching!

     

    Mr. SGTorgerson

    Since you just got your 40 and it probably came with Topo 8, be sure to take advantage of Delorme's 60 day free upgrade program to Topo 9 which is now shipping ($10 for S&H). With Topo 9 you'll get the 40's firmware upgrade to 2.8 which should make you even more happy with the unit.

  3. You absolutely want to take advantage of the $10 upgrade to Topo 9. The latest firmware upgrade coming out soon for the PN-40 can only be fully utilized with Topo 9. Topo 9's regular cost without the free upgrade is $99.95!

  4. It looks like the latest GC site update caused a new issue with Cache Register. It seems that if your field notes all have some added text in the notes field or even one of the drop down quick notes added, the upload through CR will work ok. If you have a mix of field notes, some with added text and some without, CR will choke at the first one it comes to without a note and not upload that one or any after it.

  5. A tree growing naturally around a man made object is not the same as someone drilling a hole or hammering a nail into a part that's already grown.

     

    Having said that, I'm not a tree surgeon nor have I ever played one on TV so I don't fully know the affects of putting a nail, screw or even a tack in a tree. If I were a land manager I'd probably want to err on the side of caution.

  6. Now running into a Server error..

     

    I usually download the new .LOC files, then call-up each page, and download the .GPX file.. Except..... Every time I click on the "GPX File" button, I get:

     

    500 - Internal server error.

    There is a problem with the resource you are looking for, and it cannot be displayed.

    I'm seeing this as well. Clicking on the GPX file button on a cache page results in "IE8 has stopped working" message.

  7. Shontaka,

    Rather than offer suggestions on getting the "send to GPS" up and running, I'll explain another way for you to load caches on your 40 so you can start playing the game and worry about the other issue later.

     

    I see you got a premium membership. One of the advantages to premium membership is Pocket Queries. PQs allow you to load many caches to your 40 at once. Here is a link to the pocket query "how to".

     

    http://support.Groundspeak.com/index.php?p...page&id=118

     

    Be advised, the PN-40 can only hold 1000 total geocaches/waypoints in internal memory at one time. Since a 1000 cache PQ will also have child waypoints with it (parking coords, additional stages, etc.) you will want to make sure you keep your PQs limited to something well below the 1000 limit. I think 800 would be a good number. That gives you room for the child waypoints and any additional waypoints you may want to enter while out on the trails.

     

    Now to the good stuff.

     

    1. Once you get your zipped PQ go ahead and extract it. You'll have the main cache file and the child waypoint file.

    2. Connect your PN-40 to the PC, turn it on and select enter for data exchange mode.

    3. Open Topo 8.0.

    4.You can now drag-n-drop each of the gpx files onto the map screen of Topo 8.0. If the gpx files are large be patient. Topo isn't the fastest program around.

    5. Click on the Exchange dialog box at the top of the screen (PN-40 icon)

    6. On the left side of the box expand "waypoints". You should see the two files you just brought into Topo. Highlight the first one and click on the send button. After a few seconds (or longer depending on file size) you'll see the file appear under "waypoints" on the right side of the box. Repeat for the second file.

    7. Click "done" in the lower right corner of the box.

     

    You should now have all the caches and their associated child waypoints loaded to the device.

     

    For more helpful info, you can check out the Delorme PN-40 Wiki. http://delormepn40.wikispaces.com/

     

    Also don't be afraid to stop by the Delorme forums with any questions you may have. A lot of sharp users there. http://forum.delorme.com/

  8. Full paperless caching support for the PN-xx was not available in Topo until version 8.0. That's why you also don't have the proper cache symbol in that screen shot.

     

    You have several other options. You can update your version of Topo but since Topo NA 9.0 is about to be released, It wouldn't make since to upgrade until it's on the shelf. Not sure what the cost will be but probabbly anywhere from $60 to $100.

     

    Next option is GSAK. It will load PQs directly to the PN-xx.

     

    Last option is Cache Register. It's a $10 download from Delorme. It talks directly to Groundspeak and grabs your PQs from your account automatically. You simply open the program and sync your PN-xx and you're good to go.

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